Chapter Text
There’s not a single person on campus who doesn’t know Kim Namjoon.
Everywhere you turn, there’s always someone fawning over the alpha. A small group huddled together, thinking they’re being discreet as they stole glances at their handsome senior studiously taking down notes from his textbooks.
Namjoon, blind as a bat Namjoon, could only sit there, oblivious to the dreamy sighs floating all over the library. He has no idea that the reason why the library is always booked at this time and corner is not just because of students who wanted to study.
Well, if studying Kim Namjoon counts, then consider this whole room a classful of valedictorians.
But the ones who aren’t oblivious to it though are his pack. These six boys took it upon themselves to protect their pack alpha from any prying eyes that would dare to take a step closer than necessary towards their leader. The thing is, they know that Namjoon is always polite. Oblivious. He considers everyone around him a friend, completely unaware of their intentions to snag the handsome pack alpha all for themselves.
So before any of that could happen, his pack doubles as both a student and Kim Namjoon’s official bodyguard.
It’s easy for Seokjin and Jungkook, both alphas, to make a point. All they have to do is to walk beside their leader, broad shoulders and big tiddies out, and everyone knows to back off at one glance. They’re not aggressive, though a little assertive. Just the sight and scent of alphas alone is enough to make a statement. Unlike their three omegas, Jimin, Yoongi, and Hoseok, who actually need to have a hand on Namjoon at all times just to get their point across.
No one touches our alpha.
Hoseok always has a hand on his chest, Yoongi is always carding his fingers through Namjoon’s hair, and Jimin—the most shameless and domineering of the omegas—is always groping the man’s thighs, eyes crinkling in innocence as he massages the thick flesh of his alpha leader’s legs. People could only look at them in envy. It’s either damn, they could touch Namjoon all they want or it’s fuck, Namjoon is one lucky asshole.
However, it could arguably be said that the person who finds it the most difficult to protect their said leader and hyung is none other than their only beta.
Kim Taehyung.
Not that the man was putting himself down, but Taehyung knows that being a beta came with equal amounts of perks and disadvantages. Yes, he’s the most level-headed, conceivably the calmest right next to their pack alpha, and he’s the person people turn to the most in times that they need some comfort.
But, he didn’t have the stance or the insistent scent of an alpha, nor does Taehyung have that sweetness or boldness of a territorial omega. Nope. He’s just—there. And sometimes, he feels inadequate. Like Taehyung wants to shield his hyung from everyone else too, but it’s hard because what else am I supposed to do when I’m just meant to be in the background?
Worse, it hurts so much because Taehyung doesn’t just see Namjoon as their softest pack alpha that they have to hide from everyone’s sinful eyes. No. For him, Namjoon was—
“Tae, you’ve spaced out again.”
“Hm?” The beta looks up, and he sees Namjoon smiling at him from across the table. His once spread-out textbooks are now shut and are being placed inside his canvas tote bag. “Oh are you done, hyungie?”
“Yeah,” Namjoon breathes out as he zips his bag. “I’m hungry now. Let me buy us our lunch?”
Taehyung had finished studying about 20 minutes ago. He was just waiting for Namjoon to wrap up too so it’s easy for him to stand up and eagerly smile at his hyung. “Alright, let’s go.”
But before Taehyung could take another step, a hand shoots out to grasp his wrist. “Wait!”
Taehyung stares at the hand Namjoon had around his skin, feeling a little warm. “Y-Yeah?”
“Can I, uhm,” Namjoon’s face oddly turned a little pinkish. “Do you mind if I borrow your hoodie?”
Hm. See, this isn’t anything unusual for the past couple of months. Namjoon has been borrowing a lot of Taehyung’s clothes to wear around at random times. The alpha claimed that he just really liked the ‘fit’ and ‘style’ of Taehyung’s garments, even though the beta’s pretty sure that their fashion couldn’t be any more different.
But Taehyung, whipped little Taehyung, was always too weak to say no.
“Are you sure though, hyung? It’s scorching hot?” Taehyung asks even if he’s already picking up his discarded hoodie from his own bag. It’s simply cold here in the library, but Taehyung knows better than to wear it outside.
“I’ll be fine.” Namjoon gives him this eye-smile, and at the face of those dimples, what was Taehyung going to do? Say no? He hands the grey hoodie over a little too quickly. “Thank you, Tae-tae. Love you.”
Mushy, Taehyung grins boxily. “Love you too, hyung. Come on.”
As they walked towards the cafeteria, seeing Namjoon drowning in his oversized hoodie, sometimes Taehyung just wanted to grab him around his tummy and squeeze him tight. Namjoon looked so soft, just like his marshmallow heart. Times like these, Taehyung just wanted to borrow some of Jimin’s bravery to at least find the courage to hold his hyung’s hand as they walked side-by-side. Just that small claim.
But Taehyung doesn’t. He couldn’t.
Even when Taehyung sees a group of omegas staring at them as they walk past, or those alphas and betas eyeing his hyung like a very, very juicy steak… Taehyung could only scowl, trying his best to seem unaffected even though all he wants is to shrink an oblivious Namjoon to his pocket and protect him for life. He could only look at them intently, silently challenging them to try and step any closer.
(Taehyung has no idea that none of them would even dare anyways, not when Namjoon was happily parading Taehyung’s scent like he was his. )
At the end of the day, Taehyung’s not alpha. No one will be scared of him. He’s also not an omega. No one will respect Taehyung’s claim.
It hurts sometimes, but at least seeing Namjoon in his clothes could maybe, just maybe, convey a little message.
Could show that this alpha is mine.
__________
If beauty were colors, then Taehyung’s face was a prism. Meant to reflect the entire rainbow in all its grandiosity.
There’s not a single person in this world who isn’t aware of Taehyung’s ethereal face. Like, who wouldn’t admire it whether it’s decked out in all these vibrant colors and powders or even when it’s barefaced and a little stressed-out? Every single soul out there appreciates Taehyung’s beauty, Namjoon included. Namjoon, most definitely.
He just wishes Taehyung’s face would sometimes give out more.
It’s hard to read the beta. Much like his face, Taehyung's chamomile and green apple scent is usually so calm and refreshing, but it rarely gives away whatever he’s truly feeling. Sure, Taehyung is lenient with his smiles, never one to deprive his packmates of the joy he feels. But Namjoon is sometimes curious… could there be something else too?
Namjoon wonders if Taehyung’s eyes also shine the way Namjoon’s does whenever he sees the beta’s boxy grin. Whether his smile also has that fondness that mirrors Namjoon’s dimples, at times he catches a glimpse of Taehyung doing something so silly it makes his heart ache. Does Taehyung’s face blush similar to the way Namjoon does the moment the younger one loses himself in so much laughter, he ends up bent over on the alpha’s lap?
It’s hard to tell, because sometimes, Namjoon thinks that Taehyung has been so immersed in his role as a beta, that he’s long succumbed himself to always being in the background.
As if he wasn’t the spotlight of Namjoon’s heart.
But Namjoon does dwell in moments like these: when it’s only the two of them left in their pack home, and Taehyung is happily lying on Namjoon’s lap as they watch a movie. It feels like in moments like these, Taehyung can let go of all his inhibitions and just be.
“You’re not even paying attention to the movie, hyungie.” Taehyung pouts from where his cheeks are smudged against Namjoon’s thighs. “Did you not like what I picked?”
Namjoon smiles fondly, not breaking the rhythm of running his fingers through Taehyung’s hair. “I am watching, baby. Sorry I got a little distracted.”
Taehyung chooses that moment to tilt his face back to the screen again, so as not to let Namjoon see the way he blushes every time Taehyung hears the alpha call him ‘baby’. “What are you even thinking about, hyung-nim?”
Just you. “Nothing much,” Namjoon responds softly instead. “Just thinking about how much I would like a quilt from our nest right now.”
Taehyung looks up at Namjoon again. It's common knowledge that it’s usually omegas who nest, but Namjoon has always been extraordinary. He never cared about things like that. If he wants to nest, their pack alpha will nest.
But, as much as Taehyung encourages it, he also knew that messing up their pack nest which their omegas have single handedly arranged could lead to disastrous whining and quarrels. That’s also probably why Namjoon hasn’t gotten up and taken a quilt from the pile yet.
“Would you like one, hyungie?” Taehyung offers. “I still have one on my own bed. My purple one.”
Namjoon looks at him in surprise. “But Tae,” He chews on his bottom lip, remembering that that was the only quilt his grandmother has personally made for him. “Isn’t that your favorite? You never give that up for our nests. Ever.”
Taehyung shrugs, trying not to make it seem like a big deal. As if he wasn’t ready to give up his whole closet for his pack alpha. “I mean, I don’t really like having a lot of scents on it. B-but if it’s just you and me…”
The sentence hangs off and Namjoon’s heart warms—no, it burns fiercely—at the touching sentiment.
You and me.
“I’d be honored, Tae-tae.” Namjoon smiles, trying not to let his dimples deepen so much. He fails. “We can share it, if it’s really okay with you.”
Taehyung is already up on his feet, making a dash for his and Jungkook’s shared room. “Give me a ‘sec.”
Namjoon tries to sit still on their couch, trying his best not to act as squirmy as his heart. He knows how much that quilt means to Taehyung, and to know that the beta would trust him with it makes him feel… incredibly special.
And god, don’t even get Namjoons started on how much that quilt probably smells like Taehyung now. He doesn’t know if he’s being obvious, but Namjoon has taken a liking to stealing Taehyung’s clothes, all because he loves the way the younger man’s scent smelled and felt around him.
Biology may state that betas’ scent couldn’t be as potent as an alpha or as sweet as omega’s, but Taehyung’s fragrance had always been so enchanting to Namjoon. Beyond being calm, it always smells so refreshing. Like, contentment scentified. And the best part is, it’s never too strong or intense.
It’s as if sunshine was wrapped in a single beautiful person.
“Here you go, hyungie.” Taehyung plops back, spreading the quilt over their bodies. Like Namjoon predicted, it was indeed scented heavily seeing as Taehyung sleeps on this sheet every single night. But even if there is a sudden influx of chamomile and green apple, it isn’t overwhelming. The soft undertones of Taehyung’s scent feels like a warm cocoon, similar to how Namjoon feels when he’s wearing his beta’s shirts or hoodies.
Feels like home. Like, mate.
“Thank you, Tae-tae. Come here.” Namjoon makes room for the man in his arms again. This time, Taehyung opts to settle his head against Namjoon’s clavicle, legs thrown over his alpha’s lap. They fit nicely together, like how Mickey and Minnie were a perfect match, except Taehyung thinks they’re both too cute to be domesticated rats used to entice children with a surprise tool that could help them later.
He likes them better as just NamjoonandTaehyung.
The quilt spreads over their shoulders down to their toes, and this safe and warm, Taehyung finally resumes the movie. “This better, hyungie?” Taehyung asks, looking up to Namjoon’s soft, crinkled eyes one last time.
“This is perfect, baby. Thank you.” Namjoon kisses the top of his head, and Taehyung looks down to hide his blush again. Giving Namjoon nothing but a mere hum.
Once again, Namjoon was unable to see Taehyung’s face. He failed to catch a glimpse of how the beta secretly smiled to himself, pleased to know that he can provide for his alpha. Plus, alpha likes his scent, too. That’s always such a nice and comforting thought for Taehyung.
Namjoon might have no longer seen the way Taehyung’s eyes glazed over at the mere thought of his favorite quilt bringing back some of Namjoon’s own lemongrass ginger scent by the end of the movie. Oh how Taehyung would wrap himself around the quilt later tonight, rolling over around it like a baby cub. God, he can already hear Jungkook’s teasing in his head.
But he doesn’t care, because for Taehyung, knowing that his soft baby alpha is pleased with him makes the whole ordeal so worth it.
Moments like these, Namjoon proves that while he may no longer need to see the look on Taehyung’s face, it’s perfectly alright. Because at the end of the day, the beta’s face might not say much.
But Taehyung’s actions speak much louder than any rosy cheeks.